The new XE mutant of the COVID-19 pandemic – all you need to know about it

• The XE strain was first detected in the UK on January 19 this year and till then over 600 cases have been reported.
• The WHO further said that the transmission rate of this new variant is 10% faster than that of BA.2, which makes it the fastest transmissible mutant.
• The new mutation has emerged when most countries are removing the COVID-19 restrictions and are reporting a decline in the daily number of cases.

A new mutant strain of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 or SARS CoV-2 is raising concerns in parts of the United Kingdom, which has a higher transmission rate, reportedly.

The XE strain was first detected in the UK on January 19 this year and till then over 600 cases have been reported. The World Health Organization said that it is a recombination of both BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron strains.

The WHO further said that the transmission rate of this new variant is 10% faster than that of BA.2, which makes it the fastest transmissible mutant. “Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of about 10% as compared to BA.2, however, this finding requires further confirmation,” said WHO in a statement.

Earlier, Omicron was known to be the fastest transmitting mutation. However, to confirm this, WHO said that they require more facts and studies. The world health body has also kept this strain under the Omicron variant until any new major differences are established in terms of transmission, severity, or characteristics.

However, on the other hand, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which tracks the COVID cases, has analysed three recombinants — XF, XE, and XD. It further informed that XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2.

Recombination of variants happens only when a person gets infected with two or more variants at the same time, which further leads to the mixing of genetic material in the body.

“The earliest of these has a specimen date of 19 January 2022. There is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about growth advantage or other properties of this variant,” said UKHSA in a statement.

Further commenting on the severity of the XE variant, WHO said, “XE continues to belong to the Omicron variant until significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity, may be reported.”

WHO further said that they continue to closely monitor and assess the public health risk which are associated with the recombined variants and will also provide updates if further evidence is recorded.

The new mutation has emerged when most countries are removing the COVID-19 restrictions and are reporting a decline in the daily number of cases. The third wave of the pandemic was triggered by the Omicron variant, which was comparatively less severe than the Delta variant, where people were largely suffering from normal cold, cough, and fever.

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